New research from Geotab suggests that European fleet operators are taking freight theft less and less seriously, despite ongoing losses and operational disruptions. Half of fleet operators are less concerned about freight theft, despite an average of 27 incidents per year per company. Losses are rising by as much as 438 per cent in Europe.
The survey of more than 3,500 fleet operators in seven European countries found that 64 per cent said they were less concerned about freight theft than 12 months ago. In the Netherlands, 50 per cent of fleet managers said they were less concerned. This decreased concern contrasts sharply with reported incidents. Respondents reported an average of 34 freight theft incidents per company in Europe over the past year. In the Netherlands, this number was slightly lower at 27. However, losses in Europe have topped 438 per cent since 2022.
"Cargo theft poses an existential threat to supply chains, driver retention and customer confidence, yet many fleets seem to let their guard down," said Edward Kulperger, senior vice president, EMEA at Geotab. "While criminal tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated, fleet security has often failed to keep pace due to perceived cost barriers."
Technology gap
The survey highlights a growing gap between the increasing sophistication of freight theft and the technologies fleets use to prevent it. Fleet managers surveyed by Geotab identify risks ranging from strategic theft through fraud and deception to insider theft and crime in transit. Yet no single security technology is used consistently on a large scale in European fleets.
Although cameras were the most frequently mentioned prevention measure with 27 per cent of respondents, use of other tools such as real-time trailer tracking, sensor-driven alerts and verified driver identification, appears to be low. This lack of implementation is reinforced by fleet strategy choices, with 22 per cent of respondents saying they rely exclusively on insurance to cover losses due to freight theft. This indicates a reactive approach that prioritises compensation over prevention and recovery.
complacency
Despite persistent incidents and clear operational consequences, findings show no clear consensus on prevention, recovery or prosecution strategies. Larger fleets report more incidents but often express less concern. "The combination of declining concern and fragmented security approaches creates blind spots just as cargo theft is becoming increasingly organised and cross-border," Kulperger adds.
"We expect the risk of freight theft to increase by 2026 as organised crime networks expand, logistics margins shrink and insurers and regulators tighten oversight. Fleets that do not switch from reactive to data-driven security strategies risk higher losses and greater operational pressures. Investing in modern security technology and driver training is now critical for protecting supply chains, retaining drivers and controlling costs that ultimately affect customers," he concludes.
